Hancock’s Half Hour (BBC iPlayer)

[C]

First broadcast on radio from 1954, then on television from 1956

I’m watching again for the umpteenth time.

I love Tony Hancock but what’s the attraction?

Was he brilliant or overrated?

Was it the delivery or the superb scripts? (Galton & Simpson)

Is it too dated now to pass judgement?

Is it dated?

Were the supporting actors stronger - Sid James, Hugh Lloyd, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams et alia

Views from fans or otherwise?



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[Rorschach]

Views from fans or otherwise?

I'm a fan. I have a set of CDs of one radio series and I don't think it's really dated. If I had access to iPlayer I'd listen to a lot more.

I don't know how original he was but I think he established a British comedy archetype that we still have today: a bit of a thoughtless wanker and a perennial loser whom we can't help liking. He's always happy to exploit and denigrate others and he always fails. But we can maybe see a bit of ourselves in him and identify with his attempts to 'beat the system', and his inevitable downfall is not too painful because he deserves it but he's also sort of indestructible. We know he'll bounce back because he's insensitive but, at the same time, endlessly optimistic.

Alan Partridge and a lot of other characters owe him a huge debt.

And, yes, a brilliant supporting cast over the years.

[Rorschach]

Double post

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I don't know how original he was but I think he established a British comedy archetype that we still have today: a bit of a thoughtless wanker and a perennial loser whom we can't help liking. He's always happy to exploit and denigrate others and he always fails. But we can maybe see a bit of ourselves in him and identify with his attempts to 'beat the system', and his inevitable downfall is not too painful because he deserves it but he's also sort of indestructible. We know he'll bounce back because he's insensitive but, at the same time, endlessly optimistic.

Alan Partridge and a lot of other characters owe him a huge debt.

And, yes, a brilliant supporting cast over the years.

Yes, spot on Tym

The bigot type approach is powerful - a bit like 'Alf Garnet'

Hancock always reminds me of Harry Worth - familiar with him?

My schoolmates and I used to do this in a Bodgers window in East Ham, east London - where the man in the green jacket is walking past.

Classic









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[Rorschach]

Hancock always reminds me of Harry Worth - familiar with him?

I remember him, and the window thing, well.